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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Scrap Busting with Post Mastectomy Pillows

A dear friend of mine was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. About three weeks ago she had a mastectomy which included removal of lymph nodes. I did not know this, but evidently most of the post operative pain comes from removal of the lymph nodes – there are many nerves in that area.

My friend was given a small pillow to wear under her seat belt. (She now has a million appointments - I had no idea that fighting breast cancer is such a full time job.)

This seat belt pillow was made from a brightly colored quilting cotton with giant ladybugs. This friend has a similar aesthetic to mine and, while she appreciated the utility of the pillow, the fabric was bumming her out, especially since it is something she uses in public.

When she mentioned the existence of this pillow to me, I started researching these on the internet. I learned that there is a whole category of pillow called Comfort Pillows and they come in different shapes for different purposes. This article on about.com is helpful.

There seem to be several basic shapes: heart, crescent, rectangular, and something called a "dog bone". The crescent- and heart-shaped pillows often include ribbons so they can be tied onto the shoulder. I sent her several pictures so she could give me some guidance on what would be most useful.

My friend thought that the crescent shape would be good for sleeping but without the ribbons - she envisioned becoming entangled.

I made her two pillows. I also provided her with some black minky to cover said ladybugs on the seat belt pillow.

The first pillow used a pattern provided by Husqvarna Viking – the PDF of the pattern and instructions can be downloaded for free here.

For this pillow, I used scraps of a stretch woven cotton left over from my Hexagonal Tablecloth skirt. I stuffed this one fairly tightly.

Then, just today on Stitcher's Guild, someone posted another free pattern for a crescent shaped post-mastectomy pillow. What perfect timing!

The PDF instructions for this pattern, from emlibrary, can be downloaded for free here. The PDF of the pattern itself can be downloaded for free here.

I made this pillow using more scraps of the same sweater knit I used for several travel accessories for DD2. (I still have lots of scraps left. :) ) I stuffed this one more lightly.

These were both very quick to sew and stuff. I plan to deliver them tomorrow. I am eager to hear which shape and stuffing density she prefers. I will report back on this post.

47 comments:

My heart goes out to your friend and I send her good wishes and hopeful thoughts on her journey. You are a wonderful friend to think of how you can bring her some comfort while she deals with this. Please let us all know of what you both discover to be the most effective in pillowing so that we might take that information to help those around us who may be experiencing the same issues.

Thanks, Doobee. You are so right - this is new territory for my friend and for me. I told her I can whip up more pillows if she needs them. She has to really organize and position various pillows in order to sleep every night. That's a big reason I experimented with density of stuffing. Her seatbelt pillow is very squishy, and she likes that for that purpose, but she wanted more density for sleeping pillows.

I made these little pillows for a number of years for the Cancer Society here in NZ. Firmer stuffed ones were preferred with short straps which secured the pillow over the shoulder and supported side of body when sleeping. Was amazed to be asked to make them in stronger colours for men!!

Oh Shams - you are sooo thoughtful. What a hard time for your friend. I hope the diagnosis was early, and her treatment goes well. Such a hard time, and having good friends is what will help pull her thru. She is lucky to have you i n her life!!

If you will PM me through Stitcher's Guild, I will mail you a pattern which our ASG group uses. We use pink fleece w/breast cancer logo on it - have made and given to three local hospitals (I am suspicious they don't give them), but I keep a stash at my home and have lost count the amount I have given. This is nothing to sneeze at and you are a wonderful friend to start this. More, if you get in touch with me.........Lydia (from Stitcher's Guild) This will come through as anonymous.

What a great friend you are! Years ago, when a friend of mine had cancer she ended up with almost no hair! So I made her hats - actually a beret style from a McCalls pattern I had. I made them from fleece - different weights and in different colors. It was the one thing that I could do for her. She was thrilled to wear them and I was happy that in some small way I had helped her through a very difficult time.

I had a very good friend who fought breast cancer. It was horrible watching her go through the ordeal. Sadly she lost her battle at only 33 years old. I've never really gotten over her loss. I don't think we ever do. You are such a great friend. I know your friend appreciates what you are doing to comfort her. Sending up prayers for her.

ASG made anti-ouch pouches for their 2008 community service project. You can download the freebie directions at www.asg.org under the "Community Service" tab. They look like tote bags when worn, and they have an opening so the wearer can adjust the stuffing to her comfort level.

I just made two crescent pillows with shoulder straps for a young lady who will have a double radical mastectomy next week. Because she is states away, I put 7" zippers in the bottom of each so she can adjust the stuffing to her comfort level. I did not make them pink. Several of my friends who have had mastectomies told me to use any color other than pink. They also told me to be sure it's cotton for comfort. After my friend recovers, she can pass the pillows down to her little girls to use as pajama bags.

I had a mastectomy 4 weeks ago. I was blessed with one of these pillows waiting for me in my hospital room. Ladies from the local Lutheran Church make them and bring them to the hospital to give to mastectomy patients. What a wonderful way to show God's love!